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Sport

Folkestone Invicta boss Andy Drury says team have set a performance standard with Isthmian Premier home wins over Dulwich Hamlet and Bognor Regis Town

By: Thomas Reeves treeves@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 08:20, 26 November 2024

Updated: 11:00, 26 November 2024

Andy Drury thinks his Folkestone players have set a performance standard in their last two wins.

Isthmian Premier Invicta bounced back from the FA Trophy exit with last midweek’s 2-1 home league win over Dulwich Hamlet, which was followed by a 4-1 victory against Bognor Regis at Cheriton Road in wet and windy conditions on Saturday.

Amadou Kassarate celebrates scoring his first of his two goals in Folkestone’s 2-1 Isthmian Premier home win over Dulwich Hamlet last Tuesday. Picture: Helen Cooper

Folkestone boss Drury was particularly complimentary of the display which ensured they saw off Hakan Hayrettin’s team.

“I think we have upped our standards in the last two games,” said Drury, who replaced joint-managers Roland Edge and Micheal Everitt in November 2023. “That’s not to say we had been performing poorly, but we played to a fantastic standard on Tuesday.

“It was our best performance since I’ve been in charge here and one of the best I’ve ever seen at this level.

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“I thought we were outstanding and the football we played was first class. We could have won 7-1 or 8-1!

"Then, on Saturday, we had to show a different side to us and do the basics.

Invicta man makes team-of-the-week

"We did the job well. We kept asking the questions and broke them down.

“We’ve definitely set a standard.

“We’re not going to be at that standard every time, but it’s about not dropping below it as much as possible.”

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Midfielder Amadou Kassarate bagged a brace against Dulwich to move to five goals since he arrived at the club in late August.

Captain Ian Gayle then got the scoring started against Bognor and, while the West Sussex side levelled through a penalty, a hat-trick from striker Dan Smith against his old club secured Folkestone all three points.

Prolific Folkestone forward Dan Smith - claimed a hat-trick against former club Bognor Regis in their 4-1 weekend win. Picture: Helen Cooper

“I thought Amadou took his goals really well on Tuesday,” said Drury.

“We worked on a couple of set-pieces because we hadn’t scored from them enough this season. Then, Gayley came up trumps on Saturday with Smithy, as well.

“I’m pleased and we need to keep doing that.”

Smith put Invicta back ahead against Bognor in first-half stoppage time, adding two more to his tally in the latter stages, despite winger Matthias Fanimo (hamstring) coming off in the 13th minute with an injury.

“He’s on 14 goals this season - 10 in the league and four in the cups,” revealed Drury. “In some of those games, he hasn’t even played as a No.9! He has played out wide due to injuries and stuff.

Folkestone captain Ian Gayle celebrates victory against Dulwich Hamlet at the full-time whistle. Picture: Helen Cooper

“I’d imagine he’s on course for at least 30 goals this season but, above all, the way he has been leading the line has been fantastic.”

Drury, whose eighth-placed team are due at Horsham tonight, will travel to Whitehawk this weekend as they close in on the play-off positions ahead of the hectic festive period.

Folkestone’s manager said: “It’s important to get points from these games, then we have got a midweek off.

“Hopefully, then, we’re in a good place to attack the Christmas period.”

Assistant manager Chris Lynch has departed his club role due to increased work commitments.

Chris Lynch - has left Folkestone due to increased work commitments. Picture: Helen Cooper

“He’s left on good terms and we thank him for his service to the club,” said Drury. “He’s just got other stuff that he needs to do and we understand that he needs to prioritise that.

“We’ll hope to replace him in the next few days.”

Drury also commented on the initial one-month loan of Evans Kouassi to divisional rivals Bowers & Pitsea, the four-goal Ivory Coast forward playing for James Collins' troops in last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat to frontrunners Dover.

Folkestone celebrate one of midfielder Amadou Kassarate’s goals against Dulwich. Picture: Helen Cooper

“He just needs minutes,” Drury said.

“He needs to get a bit of confidence back. He needs to play games for a month and we will see what happens then.

“We’ll see where we’re at and where he’s at.

“He could still have a part to play for us this season.”

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